Golf Training Accessory

ABSTRACT

A golf training accessory for improving the effectiveness of exercises of sliding a golf club along a guide surface is disclosed. The accessory includes a suitable contact material along with a method of removably attaching the material to a golf club. In use, the contact material rather than the golf club contacts the guide surface. Preferably the method of attachment is a layer of re-useable adhesive. Preferably the contact material is a material that causes a low level of abrasion when it slides against a hard smooth surface. Preferably the contact material is a material that causes low friction when it slides against a hard smooth surface. Preferably the contact material is a material that causes a low level of noise when it slides against a hard smooth surface. Suitable materials may include a soft cloth material such as cotton or felt.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This specification relates to an accessory for improving the effectiveness of certain golf training devices and golf training exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf is a popular game and one that is technically demanding. Learning the correct technique can lead to significant improvements in a player's performance. Various training devices have been invented with the aim of helping players to improve their technique. One type of training device consists of a guide for the club, whereby the player slides their club along the guide surface and the guide surface ensures that the club follows a certain specified path. The guide is usually a hard material such as wood, aluminum or plastic and the guide surface is usually smooth. Several such devices have been invented for putting where either the heel or toe of the putter head slides along the guide surface of the device. Such devices include U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,717, and my own previous invention GB 2 364 922. Some golf professionals suggest using a piece of wood with rectangular cross section as a guide for putting, or even a wall or skirting board.

One problem with the use of such devices and with such exercises is that sliding the putter along a hard guide surface is an abrasive action. There can be a significant amount of friction between the putter and the guide surface and so more force is required to move the putter at the desired speed and acceleration when using the guide compared to when swinging the putter without the guide. A significant amount of noise can also be produced by sliding the putter along the guide surface which could be distracting for the player. The action of sliding the putter along the guide may also scratch the surface of the guide. Therefore the physical effort required by the player as well as the feel and the sound of swinging the putter is different when using the guide compared to when swinging the putter in a competitive round of golf (when the guide cannot be used). Such training devices and exercises will be more effective for training if the experience of swinging the putter when using the guide is closer to the experience of swinging the putter without the guide in normal play. The same problems also apply to golf swing training devices that provide a guide along which the player slides a club (such as a wood or iron).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide an accessory that can be removably attached to a golf club when sliding the club along a guide surface that will make the sliding action smoother, quieter and less abrasive.

Accordingly, this invention provides a suitable contact material along with a method of removably attaching the material to a golf club. In use, the contact material rather than the golf club contacts the guide surface.

Preferably the method of attachment is a piece of re-useable adhesive. Such material is known and is available widely as a household product. Such material can be removed easily from painted or metal surfaces such as the head of a golf club and can be re-applied many times. Other material that is sticky but can be removed and re-applied to a painted or metal surface could also be used.

Preferably the contact material is a material that causes a low level of abrasion when it slides against a hard smooth surface. Preferably the contact material is a material that causes low friction when it slides against a hard smooth surface. Preferably the contact material is a material that causes a low level of noise when it slides against a hard smooth surface. Suitable materials may include a soft cloth material such as cotton or felt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a clearer understanding of the invention and to show how it may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the accessory;

FIG. 2 shows the accessory in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the cross section view in FIG. 1 the accessory comprises a felt layer 1 which is attached to a layer of re-useable adhesive 3 by a thin layer of permanent adhesive 2.

Any shape of the accessory in plan view is possible although either a rectangular or square shape is preferred. Any size is possible although preferably the accessory is kept small so that the weight of the accessory is small and therefore the effect on the balance of the club of attaching the accessory to the club is small.

FIG. 2 shows the accessory in use during a putting training exercise. The layer of re-useable adhesive 3 is used to attach the accessory to the putter head 4. The bottom part of the putter shaft 5 is also shown. The guide 6 being used by the player is shown. The shape of the guide 6 will vary depending on the actual guide being used (such as GB 2 364 922). The felt layer of the accessory 1 contacts the guide surface 7. The felt layer 1 is attached to the re-useable adhesive layer 3 by a thin layer of permanent adhesive 2.

There are many different shapes of golf clubs. Even amongst putter designs there are a wide variety of shapes. One advantage of this preferred embodiment of the invention is that it can be attached to many different shapes of club head. It can also be attached to the shaft of the golf club which is appropriate if that is the contact point with the guide surface. It is also easy to remove and then re-apply which enables the player to use the accessory attached to the club when using the guide during practice and to use the club without the accessory at other times. 

1. A golf training accessory for use by a golfer when sliding a golf club along a guide surface comprising a suitable contact material to contact the guide surface and a method of removably attaching the material to a golf club.
 2. A golf training accessory as claimed in claim 1 where the golf club being used is a putter.
 3. A golf training accessory as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 where the method of attachment to the golf club is a sticky material that can be removed from a painted or metal surface and re-applied many times.
 4. A golf training accessory as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 where the method of attachment to the golf club is a piece of re-useable adhesive.
 5. A golf training accessory as claimed in any preceding claim where the contact material is a material that causes a low level of abrasion when it slides against a hard smooth surface.
 6. A golf training accessory as claimed in any preceding claim where the contact material is a material that causes low friction when it slides against a hard smooth surface.
 7. A golf training accessory as claimed in any preceding claim where the contact material is a material that causes a low level of noise when it slides against a hard smooth surface.
 8. A golf training accessory as claimed in any preceding claim where the contact material is a cloth material such as cotton or felt.
 9. A golf training accessory as claimed in any preceding claim where the contact material is a layer of cloth material such as cotton or felt.
 10. A golf training accessory as claimed in any preceding claim where the method of attachment and the contact material are attached together by a permanent adhesive.
 11. A golf training accessory substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
 12. A method of practicing golf technique including putting using the golf training accessory comprising the steps of: mounting the accessory on a golf club; swinging the golf club so that the contact material of the accessory slides along a chosen guide surface. 